In lieu of the Star Wars: The Force Awakens DVD release next week, on April 5, below are some of the thoughts I had after watching the film in theatres back in December:

[I just saw Star Wars: The Force Awakens, last night. It was a special moment for me because it was my first Star Wars I’ve seen in the movie theatre and I saw it with my boyfriend which made it extra special! I absolutely loved this movie! Don’t worry—NO SPOILERS!! ​

I want to thank the many viewers who joined the Pixie Chick audience so far and if you’re new, welcome and I hope you continue to check us out! The following post is completely honest and I think very brave! I’m exposing myself, my family, and a deeply personal matter-- but I know I can trust you, our Pixie Chick readers, to respect my family’s vulnerability.

I want to explain our brief hiatus and my absence from the posts, while again, thank my amazing contributors for the past three weeks! My family and I working under the conditions of a major medical situation. Just nearly 2 months ago my “SuperMom”* underwent brain surgery to remove a large meningioma (benign brain tumor). The doctors estimate the tumor has been slow-growing for 20-30 years, based on the size and type of tumor. It was the size of a large orange. ​

​*Her surgeon actually called my Mom SuperMom because she was never administered pain medication since the morning after her surgery.

​My first encounter with the Ice Age movies was in the summer of 2003 when babysitting for a neighbor's young daughter and son. While other fourteen year olds were at the beach or the mall, I was playing the part of Sid in a 45-minute re-enactment of Ice Age. 'The Summer of Ice Age' or so we called it, consisted of watching the movie at least once a day to get down the dialogue, some character work pretending to be Sid, Manny and Diego in the park, and Ice Age themed games such as 'the floor is melting', instead of 'the floor is lava'. You would think with watching Ice Age as many times as I did, that I would have this utter distain for it, but instead Ice Age became my last child-like memory, a reminder of a sacred summer that I look back on fondly. After that year I turned fifteen and it wasn't cool to like anything anymore, so I quietly resided to things that kids my age liked - Facebook, American Idol and holding hands with boys. I never would have guessed that nine years later when I graduated from college, I would find myself sitting in a room at Blue Sky Studios interviewing for a position with the animation studio that made Ice Age.

It has been about two months since the passing of David Bowie and I have to remind myself quite frequently that he’s gone. David Bowie was basically an ethereal being who came to Earth and graced us with the gift of his music.

For many fans, his lyrics hold a special place in their heart. His lyrics helped outsiders feel normal. For me, and like many others, David Bowie saved my life. He was the only person who knew what to say when I needed it the most. In October 2010, I listened to Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars for the first time. It blew my mind to put it simply. Those last three songs were the kicker: “Ziggy Stardust,” “Suffragette City,” and “Rock ‘n’ Roll Suicide.” It was like three blows to the face and I wanted, no needed, more.

I watched all of the Oscars. I live streamed it on my computer just seconds before Chris Rock entered the Dolby Theater and I patiently sat through the next three hours and thirty-seven minutes of generally predictable, sometimes cringe-worthy, celebrity-infused entertainment. ​